Muffin Tin Blondies

Made a batch of these for Jim and myself this weekend … they were gone in less than 24 hours.I loved baking up this blondie recipe in little muffin tins because then everyone gets to enjoy a bit of soft center and crunchy edge.

Ingredients: makes about 12 blondies

• 8 tbsp (1 stick) butter, melted
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• pinch of salt
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips*
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts*

*These can be substituted to create other tasty variations such as shredded coconut, dried fruit, cinnamon chips, etc.

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350*F
2. Whisk together melted butter and brown sugar in a large bowl
3. Whisk in egg, salt and vanilla until thoroughly combined
4. Add flour, chocolate chips and walnuts and mix until combined, finish mixing the batter by hand if needed
5. Split the batter into 12 equal portions and press into the bottom of muffin tins coated with non-stick spray
6. Pop in the oven for about 20 minutes or until center of blondies set
7. Remove and allow to cool slightly before indulging
8. Enjoy!

Peninsula Skies

Miami continually displays the most beautiful skies I have ever seen in my entire life.

On this day, the long rays of sunlight from the west were reflected off the underside of the storm clouds moving east.  I felt like I was driving home in a watercolor painting. Stunning.

This is where we live …

Astronaut Chris Hadfield must have been hovering above our area of the globe this week: I love being able to point out all the different places in south Florida we’ve explored … from space :)

Axiom & Simulation

by Mark Dorf

Axiom & Simulation examines the ways in which humans quantify and explore our natural surroundings through the use of artistic, scientific, and digital realism.  As a developed global culture, we are constantly transforming physical space and objects into abstract non-physical thought to gain a greater understanding of composition and the inner workings of our surroundings.  These transformations often take the form of mathematical or scientific interpretation.  As a result of these changes, we can misinterpret or even lose all reference to the source.  When observing these simulations and interpretations of our landscape within a single context or picture plane, ideas of accuracy, futility, and original experience arise.

As an environmental chemist, this is something I have to be conscious of on a daily basis – How does my data fit in the context of the entire ecosystem?

It’s important to step back from molecular-level dynamics and observe (and enjoy) the environment as a whole – Only then will you be able to draw meaningful conclusions.

Red-Bellied Woodpecker

After returning home from my ride this weekend, I stepped out of the car and something hopping around the trees caught my eye …

To my delight, I discovered it was a red-bellied woodpecker foraging for foodstuffs among the leaves.  I ran inside, grabbed my Dad’s old telephoto lens (which is barely compatible with my camera body) and snapped a few photos. Not too shabby considering it was my first time actually using the lens to shoot something I cared about – These were taken sans auto-focus, light metering or tripod :)

The Barn

Had an excellent time riding today …… I have the glove and t-shirt tan lines to prove it :)

Chili Bean Tortilla Wraps

This is a modified version of one of our new-found favorites from Vegetarian Cooking: A Common Sense Guide.  I love this recipe book – It’s packed with great vegetarian dishes that don’t waste their time imitating sausage patties or bacon. The perfect one-pot meal for week nights (and heats up even better the next day for lunch)!

Ingredients: makes about 10 wraps

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 green pepper, chopped
• 2 red chiles, seeded and chopped
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/4 tsp sugar
• 1 14oz can chopped tomatoes
• 1 15oz can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 10 medium-sized flour tortillas
• 2 cups grated cheddar or jack cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350*C.
2. Heat olive oil in large sauce pan over medium heat and saute onion, garlic and green pepper for until ingredients begin to soften.
3. Add chiles, cayenne, paprika, cumin, sugar, tomatoes, beans and tomato paste.
4. Bring mixture to boil, reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes or until liquid has reduced, season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Fill each tortilla with a bit of the bean filling and a sprinkling of cheese, roll and place on a cookie sheet lined with tin foil.  Repeat with each tortilla.
6. Pop wraps in the oven for about 10-15 minutes or until cheese melts.
7. Remove and enjoy!

These taste great dipped in some sour cream or sprinkled with a bit of lime :)